Posted!

Join the Conversation

Comments

Welcome to our new and improved comments, which are for subscribers only.
This is a test to see whether we can improve the experience for you.
You do not need a Facebook profile to participate.

You will need to register before adding a comment.
Typed comments will be lost if you are not logged in.

Please be polite.
It's OK to disagree with someone's ideas, but personal attacks, insults, threats, hate speech, advocating violence and other violations can result in a ban.
If you see comments in violation of our community guidelines, please report them.

The Furman University football program's first early signing period leaned a little toward offense.

Coach Clay Hendrix announced the signing of 10 players Wednesday, the first day of a first-ever three-day period that allows high school players to sign ahead of the traditional period that begins each February. Six of the players are on offense, where in 2017 Furman improved by five points and 50 yards per game over 2016.

The Paladins focused on skill position players, signing two running backs, two wide receivers and a tight end.

Both running backs — Corey Watkins of Evans, Georgia, and Devin Abrams of Pensacola, Florida — rushed for more than 1,400 yards as high school seniors.

Wide receiver Louis Hall of Woodstock, Georgia, had 210 career receptions, including 41 as a senior before a knee injury sidelined him midseason. Dejuan Bell was a multipurpose star at North Augusta High, registering 21 touchdown responsibilities as a receiver, return specialists and defensive back. He also had eight interceptions this past season.

Tight end Ryan Miller of Jackson, Tennessee, was selected to that state's East-West All-Star Classic after catching 69 passes for 1,149 yards with eight touchdowns as a senior. He also rushed for 520 yards with 10 touchdowns.

Anderson Tomlin, a 275-pound lineman from Birmingham, Alabama, is the sixth offensive signee.

Cameron Coleman, a 285-pound nose guard from Elizabethton, Tennessee, who also played in the East-West All-Star Classic, leads the newcomers to the defense. He is joined on the line by Taylor Hodge, a 5-foot-9, 255-pound tackle from Tryone, Georgia.

The Paladins signed one linebacker — Braden Gilby of St. Petersburg, Florida, who had 385 tackles the past three seasons.

The secondary added Jonah Griffin, who played on the Benedectine Military School that won three Georgia Class AA state championships during his career.